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卷一下 高帝紀下

Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 2

Chapter 2 of 漢書 ✓ Translated
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1
使 使使
In the tenth month of winter in the fifth year, King Han pursued Xiang Yu and halted his army south of Yangxia. He had made an appointment with King Qi Xin and Wei prime minister Yue to join forces and attack Chu, but they did not arrive at Gulong. Chu attacked the Han army and greatly defeated it. King Han retreated back into his fortifications, dug deep moats, and defended. He said to Zhang Liang: "The feudal lords are not following. What should we do?" Liang replied: "The Chu army is about to be broken, but they have not yet divided the land. Their failure to come is natural. If your majesty can share the world with them, they can be made to come immediately." King Qi Xin's establishment was not your majesty's intention, and Xin himself is not firm. Peng Yue originally pacified Liang territory. At first your majesty, because of Wei Bao, appointed Yue as prime minister. Now Bao is dead, and Yue also hopes to become king, but your majesty has not decided early. Now if you can take Suiyang north to Gucheng and all give it to enfeoff Peng Yue as king, and from Chen east to the sea and give it to King Qi Xin, Xin's family is in Chu, and his intention is to regain his former territory. If you can give up this land to satisfy these two men, letting each fight for himself, then Chu will be easy to defeat." So King Han sent envoys to Han Xin and Peng Yue. They arrived and both led troops to come.
2
In the eleventh month, Liu Jia entered Chu territory and surrounded Shouchun. Han also sent people to entice Chu grand marshal Zhou Yin. Yin rebelled against Chu, massacred Liuchu with Ying Bu, raised the Jiujiang troops to welcome Ying Bu, and together marched to massacre Chengfu, following Liu Jia to all assemble.
3
In the twelfth month, they surrounded Xiang Yu at Gaixia. Xiang Yu at night heard that Han troops on all four sides were singing Chu songs, knew they had taken all Chu territory, and Xiang Yu fled with several hundred cavalry, which is why his army suffered a great defeat. Guan Ying pursued and beheaded Xiang Yu at Dongcheng. Chu territory was completely pacified, only Lu did not submit. King Han led the troops of the world wanting to massacre them, but since it was a state that upheld propriety and righteousness, he held Xiang Yu's head to show their fathers and brothers. Lu then surrendered. Initially, King Huai had enfeoffed Xiang Yu as Lord of Lu, and after his death, Lu again defended firmly for him. Therefore they buried Xiang Yu as Lord of Lu at Gucheng. King Han conducted the funeral rites and wept at the grave before leaving. He enfeoffed Xiang Bo and three others as marquises and granted them the surname Liu. All the people who had been seized in Chu were returned. King Han returned to Dingtao and galloped into King Qi Xin's encampment, seizing his army. Initially, the Linjiang King Gong Ao whom Xiang Yu had established had died earlier. His son Wei succeeded as king and did not surrender. He sent Lu Wan and Liu Jia to attack and capture Wei.
4
In the first month of spring, he posthumously honored his elder brother with the title Lord Wu'ai. He issued an order: "Chu territory is already pacified. After the Righteous Emperor's death, I wish to care for the Chu multitudes and establish their ruler. King Qi Xin was accustomed to Chu customs, so he re-established him as King of Chu, ruling north of the Huai, capital at Xiapi." Wei prime minister Lord Jiancheng Peng Yue worked hard for the Wei people, treated officers and soldiers humbly, often attacked many with few, repeatedly broke Chu armies. For this he was enfeoffed with the former Wei territory as king, titled King of Liang, capital at Dingtao." He also said: "The troops have not rested for eight years. The ten thousand people have suffered greatly. Now the world's affairs are finished. Pardon all those sentenced to death or below."
5
使 便
So the feudal lords submitted a memorial: "King of Chu Han Xin, King of Han Xin, King of Huainan Ying Bu, King of Liang Peng Yue, former King of Hengshan Wu Rui, King of Zhao Zhang Ao, King of Yan Zang Tu, risking death, bow twice and say: Great King Your Majesty, previously Qin acted without righteousness, the world executed it. Your Majesty first obtained the Qin king and pacified Guanzhong. Your merit for the world is the greatest. You preserved the perishing and stabilized the endangered, rescued the defeated and continued the extinct, to pacify the ten thousand people. Your merit is abundant and your virtue is thick. You have also bestowed favor on the feudal lords and kings who have merit, enabling them to establish their ancestral temples. The territories have been divided and established, but your position and title are equal to others, without distinction of superior and inferior. Your Majesty's merit and virtue are manifest, but for later generations it will not be proclaimed. Risking death, we bow twice and present the title of Emperor." King Han said: "I have heard that 'emperor' is for the worthy. An empty name without substance is not what I take. Now all the feudal lords elevate me. How should I deal with this?" All the feudal lords said: "Your Majesty rose from humble origins, destroyed the chaotic Qin, and your might shook within the seas. You also from remote and narrow territory, from Hanzhong displayed awe-inspiring virtue, executed the unrighteous, established those with merit, pacified within the seas. The meritorious ministers all received land and fiefs. It was not private. Your Majesty's virtue extends to the four seas. The feudal lords are insufficient to express it. Occupying the imperial position is very fitting indeed. We wish Your Majesty to favor the world." King Han said: "If the feudal lords consider it convenient for the world's people, then it is acceptable." So the feudal lords and Grand Marshal Lord Chang'an Chen Wan and 300 others, together with Erudite Ji, Successor Lord Shu Sun Tong, carefully chose an auspicious day, the jiawu day of the second month, and presented the honored title. King Han ascended the imperial throne at Fenshui's northern bank. He honored the queen as empress, the crown prince as imperial crown prince, and posthumously honored his late mother as Lady Zhaoling.
6
使 使
The edict said: "The former King of Hengshan Wu Rui, with two sons and one nephew, led Baiyue troops to assist the feudal lords, executed the violent Qin, had great merit. The feudal lords established him as king. Xiang Yu invaded and seized his territory, calling him Fan Jun. Enfeoff Fan Jun Wu Rui as King of Changsha with Changsha, Yuzhang, Xiangjun, Guilin, and Nanhai." He also said: "The former Yue kings' descendants have maintained the Yue sacrifices. Qin invaded and seized their territory, causing their ancestral temples to lack blood offerings. The feudal lords attacked Qin. The descendants personally led Minzhong troops to assist in destroying Qin. Xiang Yu deposed them and did not establish them. Now establish them as King of Minyue, ruling Minzhong territory, do not let them lose their office."
7
西 滿 滿
The emperor then established his western capital at Luoyang. In the fifth month of summer, all troops were disbanded and sent home. The edict said: "Feudal lords' sons in Guanzhong are exempted from taxes for 12 years. Those who return are exempted for half that." People who previously gathered in mountain marshes and did not register their names and numbers - now that the world is pacified, command them each to return to their counties, restore their former ranks, fields, and homes. Officials shall teach and instruct with civil laws, do not beat or humiliate. People who sold themselves as slaves or concubines due to starvation are all freed as commoners. Military officers and soldiers who assembled for the amnesty - those without crime but without rank or below the rank of grand master are all granted the rank of grand master. Former grand masters and above are granted one rank each. Those seventh rank grand master and above are all given fiefs. Those below seventh rank grand master are exempted from service for themselves and their households." He also said: "Seventh rank grand master and public chariot driver and above are all high ranks. Feudal lords' sons and those returning from military service have many high ranks. I have repeatedly commanded officials to first give them fields and homes, and whatever they should seek from officials, give it quickly. Ranks are from the ruler, honored by superiors. Standing long before officials, not deciding, is very improper. In former days Qin people with ranks of public official and grand master and above, the county magistrate and assistant treated them with equal ceremony. Now I do not treat ranks lightly. How can officials arbitrarily take this! Moreover, the law is that fields and homes are given based on merit and service. Now minor officials who have never served in the army have many who are satisfied, while those with merit instead do not get them. This abandons the public for private, and the commandery and county officials' teaching is very improper. Command all officials to treat high ranks well, according with my intention. Moreover, inquire strictly. Those who do not follow my edict, judge them severely."
8
使
The emperor held a banquet in Luoyang's southern palace. The emperor said: "Noble marquises and generals, do not dare conceal from me. All speak your true feelings. Why did I obtain the world? Why did the Xiang clan lose the world?" Gao Qi and Wang Ling replied: "Your Majesty is casual and insults people. Xiang Yu is benevolent and respects people. However, when Your Majesty sends people to attack cities and seize territory, those who surrender are given it, sharing the world's benefits with them. Xiang Yu was jealous of the worthy and envious of the able. He harmed those with merit, doubted the worthy. He won battles but did not give credit to others, obtained land but did not share benefits with others. This is why he lost the world." The emperor said: "You know one aspect, but not the other. Planning strategy within the command tent, deciding victory a thousand miles away - I am not equal to Zifang. Filling the state treasury, comforting the people, providing supplies without interruption, maintaining the grain routes - I am not equal to Xiao He. Commanding a million troops, fighting must win, attacking must take - I am not equal to Han Xin. These three are all outstanding men. I can employ them. This is why I obtained the world. Xiang Yu had one Fan Zeng but could not employ him. This is why he was captured by me." The ministers were all convinced.
9
使
Initially, Tian Heng had gone to Peng Yue. Xiang Yu had already been destroyed. Heng feared execution and fled to the sea with his retainers. The emperor feared he would long cause disorder, so he sent an envoy to pardon Heng, saying: "If Heng comes, the great one will be king, the small one will be marquis. If he does not come, I will send troops to execute him." Heng was afraid and rode the imperial relay to Luoyang. Thirty li from arriving, he committed suicide. The emperor admired his integrity and shed tears. He sent 2,000 troops and buried him with kingly rites.
10
便 西
Guard commander Lou Jing sought an audience and advised the emperor: "Your Majesty obtained the world differently from the Zhou, but establishing the capital at Luoyang is inconvenient. It would be better to enter the passes and occupy Qin's strongholds." The emperor asked Zhang Liang, who then advised the emperor. That day, the imperial chariot went west to establish the capital at Chang'an. He appointed Lou Jing as Lord Fengchun and granted him the surname Liu. In the sixth month on the day renchen, there was a great amnesty for the world.
11
使
In the seventh month of autumn, King Yan Zang Tu rebelled. The emperor personally led troops to campaign against him. In the ninth month, he captured Tu. He commanded the feudal lords to examine those with merit and establish one as King of Yan. King Jing Chen Xin and ten others all said: "Grand Marshal Lord Chang'an Lu Wan has the most merit. Please establish him as King of Yan." He sent Chancellor Kuai to lead troops and pacify Dai territory.
12
Li Ji rebelled. The emperor personally attacked and defeated him. Li Ji was Xiang Yu's general. Yu was defeated. Li Ji became magistrate of Chen and surrendered. The emperor enfeoffed him in Yingchuan. The emperor reached Luoyang and examined the noble marquises' registers to summon him, but Li Ji feared and rebelled.
13
Nine months later, he moved the feudal lords' sons to Guanzhong. He constructed the Changlegong Palace. In the tenth month of winter in the sixth year, he commanded all counties and towns in the world to build walls.
14
Someone informed that King Chu Han Xin was plotting rebellion. The emperor asked his attendants. The attendants all wished to attack him. Using Chen Ping's plan, he pretended to tour Yunmeng. In the twelfth month, he assembled the feudal lords at Chen. King Chu Xin came to greet him, and he arrested him. The edict said: "
15
便 西 西 使
The world is now pacified. The heroic and outstanding with merit have been enfeoffed as marquises. Newly established, I have not yet been able to fully reward their merit. They have been in the army nine years. Some are not yet accustomed to the laws, or because of their past violate the law. The great ones receive death penalties. I pity them greatly. Pardon the world." Tian Ken congratulated the emperor: "Very good. Your Majesty has obtained Han Xin and also governs Qinzhong. Qin is a country of advantageous terrain. It girds the river and is blocked by mountains, spanning a thousand li, holding a million halberds. Qin obtained one hundred and twenty percent of them. The terrain is convenient. Sending troops from here against the feudal lords is like living on a high roof and pouring water from the eaves. Qi to the east has the richness of Langya and Jimo, to the south has the strength of Mount Tai, to the west has the barrier of the Zhu River, to the north has the advantage of the Bohai Sea. Its territory is two thousand li square, holding a million halberds. Spanning a thousand li away, Qi obtains twelve of them. This is the eastern Qin. If not a close relative, no one can be made king of Qi." The emperor said: "Good." He granted five hundred jin of gold. The emperor returned to Luoyang, pardoned Han Xin, and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Huaiyin.
16
西
On the day jiashen, he first divided tallies and enfeoffed meritorious ministers Cao Shen and others as noble marquises. The edict said: "Qi is an ancient established state. Now it is commanderies and counties. Restore it as feudal lords. General Liu Jia has repeatedly had great merit. Choose one who is lenient, benevolent, and pure to be king of Qi and Jing territories." In the first month of spring on the day bingwu, King Han Xin and others petitioned to establish Liu Jia as King of Jing with the former Dongyang commandery, Zhang commandery, Wu commandery, fifty-three counties; and to establish younger brother Lord Wenxin Jiao as King of Chu with Dang commandery, Xue commandery, Tan commandery, thirty-six counties. On the day renzi, he established elder brother Lord Yixin Xi as King of Dai with Yunzhong, Yanmen, Dai commanderies, fifty-three counties; established son Fei as King of Qi with Jiaodong, Jiaoxi, Linzi, Jibei, Boyang, Chengyang commanderies, seventy-three counties; made Taiyuan commandery thirty-one counties into Han kingdom, moved King Han Xin to establish capital at Jinyang.
17
The emperor had already enfeoffed over thirty great meritorious ministers. The rest contended for merit and had not yet received enfeoffment. The emperor resided in the southern palace. From the covered walkway above he saw the generals often talking in pairs. He asked Zhang Liang about it. Liang said: "Your Majesty took the world together with these people. Now you are emperor, but those you enfeoff are all old friends you love, those you execute are all lifelong enemies. Now the army officers calculate merit, considering the world insufficient to universally enfeoff, and fear that faults will lead to execution, so they gather to plot rebellion." The emperor said: "What should be done?" Liang said: "Take one whom the emperor has always disliked, whom the ministers all know had the greatest faults, and enfeoff him first to show the ministers." In the third month, the emperor held a banquet and enfeoffed Yong Chi. He then urged the chancellor to quickly determine merit and carry out enfeoffments. The banquet ended. All the ministers were happy, saying: "Even Yong Chi is made marquis. We have no worries!"
18
The emperor returned to Queyang. He visited the Duke of Tai every five days. The Duke of Tai's household steward advised the Duke of Tai: "Heaven has no two suns, earth has no two kings. The emperor is son, but is the ruler. The Duke of Tai is father, but is a subject. How can you make the ruler bow to a subject! If you do this, then imperial authority will not be carried out." Later when the emperor came to court, the Duke of Tai held a broom and went backwards to meet him at the gate. The emperor was greatly shocked and got down to support the Duke of Tai. The Duke of Tai said: "The emperor is the ruler of men. How can you disorder the world's laws for my sake!" So the emperor in his heart approved of the household steward's words and granted five hundred jin of gold. In the fifth month of summer on the day bingwu, the edict said: "Of human relations, none is closer than father and son. Therefore when father has the world it is transmitted to son, when son has the world honor returns to father. This is the extreme of human righteousness. Previously the world was in great disorder, weapons and armor rose together, the ten thousand people suffered calamity. I personally wore armor and grasped sharp weapons, personally led the officers and soldiers, faced danger and difficulty, pacified violent disorder, established the feudal lords, laid down arms and rested the people, the world is greatly peaceful. This is all due to the Duke of Tai's teaching and instruction. The various kings, noble marquises, generals, ministers, grand masters have honored me as emperor, but the Duke of Tai has no title. Now I honor the Duke of Tai as Taishang Huang."
19
In the ninth month of autumn, the Xiongnu besieged King Han Xin at Mayi. Xin surrendered to the Xiongnu.
20
使
In the tenth month of winter in the seventh year, the emperor personally led troops to attack King Han Xin at Tongdi, beheading his generals. Xin fled to the Xiongnu, and together with his generals Manqiu Chen and Wang Huang established the former Zhao descendant Zhao Li as king. They gathered Xin's scattered troops and together with the Xiongnu resisted Han. The emperor from Jinyang fought continuous battles, riding victory to pursue the enemy, reaching Loufan. Encountering great cold, soldiers with frostbitten fingers were twelve or thirteen out of ten. He arrived at Pingcheng and was surrounded by the Xiongnu for seven days. Using Chen Ping's secret plan, he got out. He sent Fan Kuai to remain and pacify Dai territory.
21
In the twelfth month, the emperor returned passing through Zhao and did not show courtesy to King Zhao. This month, the Xiongnu attacked Dai. King Dai Xi abandoned the kingdom and personally returned to Luoyang. He was pardoned and made Marquis of Heyang. On the day xinsi, he established son Ruyi as King of Dai.
22
In spring, he commanded that palace gentlemen with punishments of tattooing or above could redeem themselves. People who gave birth to children were exempted from service for two years.
23
殿
In the second month, he arrived at Chang'an. Xiao He had constructed the Weiyang Palace, establishing the eastern gate, northern gate, front hall, armory, and great granary. The emperor saw its grandeur and was greatly angry. He said to He: "The world is in turmoil, we have labored bitterly for several years, success or failure is not yet known. Why have you constructed palace rooms excessively!" He said: "The world is not yet settled, so it is suitable to take advantage of this to complete the palace rooms. Moreover, the Son of Heaven takes the four seas as home. If not grand, there is no way to increase authority. And if not grand, future generations will have nothing to add." The emperor was pleased. He moved the capital from Queyang to Chang'an. He established the Palace of Imperial Clan Affairs to order the nine clans. In the fourth month of summer, he traveled to Luoyang.
24
宿 宿
In the winter of the eighth year, the emperor went east to attack the remaining bandits of Han Xin at Dongyuan. On the return passing through Zhao, Zhao chancellor Guan Gao and others were ashamed that the emperor did not show courtesy to their king, and secretly plotted to assassinate the emperor. The emperor wanted to stay overnight. His heart was moved. He asked "What is the county name?" They said: "Boren." The emperor said: "Boren means 'pressed by people.'" He left and did not stay.
25
In the eleventh month, he commanded that soldiers who died in military service should be given coffins, returned to their counties, the counties providing burial clothes, shrouds, coffins, and funeral implements. They should be sacrificed to with a lesser sheep offering, and the chief officials should oversee the burial. In the twelfth month, he traveled from Dongyuan to arrive.
26
In the third month of spring, he traveled to Luoyang. He commanded that officials and soldiers who followed the army to Pingcheng and guarded the walled cities should all be exempted from service for life. Ranks below public chariot driver should not wear Liu clan caps. Merchants should not wear brocade, embroidered silk, fine gauze, or thin silk, handle weapons, or ride horses. In the eighth month of autumn, officials with crimes not yet discovered were pardoned. In the ninth month, he traveled from Luoyang to arrive. The King of Huainan, King of Liang, King of Zhao, King of Chu all followed.
27
殿 殿
In the tenth month of winter in the ninth year, the King of Huainan, King of Liang, King of Zhao, King of Chu paid court at the Weiyang Palace. A banquet was held in the front hall. The emperor held a jade goblet to toast the Taishang Huang, saying: "At first, father often said that I was worthless and could not manage property, unlike brother Zhong in strength. Now whose achievement that I have accomplished is greater, mine or brother Zhong's?" The ministers in the hall all shouted ten thousand years and laughed with great joy.
28
In the eleventh month, he moved the great clans of Qi and Chu - the Zhao, Qu, Jing, Huai, and Tian surnames - to Guanzhong, and gave them beneficial fields and homes. In the twelfth month, he traveled to Luoyang. Guan Gao and others' plot of rebellion was discovered. He arrested Gao and others, and also captured King Zhao Ao and threw him in prison. The edict commanded that anyone who followed the king would have their three clans executed. Palace gentlemen Tian Shu, Meng Shu and ten others shaved their heads and wore cangues to become the king's household slaves, following the king to prison. The king truly did not know of their plot. In the first month of spring, he deposed King Zhao Ao as Marquis of Xuanping. He moved King Dai Ruyi to become King of Zhao, ruling the Zhao kingdom. On the day bingyin, all those previously sentenced to death or below were pardoned.
29
In the second month, he traveled from Luoyang to arrive. He considered the worthy Zhao ministers Tian Shu, Meng Shu and ten others excellent. He summoned them for audience and spoke with them. Among the Han court ministers, none could surpass them. The emperor was pleased and appointed them all as commandery governors and feudal lord prime ministers.
30
In the sixth month of summer on the last day of the month, the sun was eclipsed.
31
In the tenth month of winter in the tenth year, the King of Huainan, King of Yan, King of Jing, King of Liang, King of Chu, King of Qi, King of Changsha all came to court.
32
In the fifth month of summer, the Taishang Empress passed away. In the seventh month of autumn on the day guimao, the Taishang Huang passed away and was buried at Wannian. He pardoned death sentences and below for prisoners in Queyang. In the eighth month, he commanded all feudal lords to establish Taishang Huang temples in their capitals.
33
使
In the ninth month, Dai prime minister Chen Xi rebelled. The emperor said: "Xi once served as my envoy and was very trustworthy. Dai territory is what I consider urgent, so I enfeoffed Xi as a marquis to guard Dai as prime minister. Now he joins with Wang Huang and others to plunder Dai territory! Officials and people have no crime. Those who can leave Xi and Huang and return will all be pardoned." The emperor went east himself and arrived at Handan. The emperor was pleased and said: "Xi does not occupy Handan to the south and block the Zhang River. I know he has no ability." Zhao prime minister Zhou Chang memorialized that of Changshan's twenty-five cities, twenty cities were lost, requesting execution of the guards and commandants. The emperor said: "Did the guards and commandants rebel?" He replied: "No." The emperor said: "Then their strength was insufficient. No crime." The emperor commanded Zhou Chang to select Zhao warriors who could be made generals. He presented four men. The emperor insulted them saying: "You bastards can be generals?" The four were ashamed and all prostrated themselves. The emperor enfeoffed each with a thousand households and made them generals. His attendants advised: "From entering Shu and Han, attacking Chu, rewards have not been universally distributed. Now enfeoffing these, what merit do they have?" The emperor said: "This is not what you know. Chen Xi has rebelled. Zhao and Dai territories are all Xi's. I have summoned troops from the world with urgent dispatches, but none have arrived yet. Now my only hope is the troops in Handan. Why should I begrudge four thousand households? I will not use them to console the Zhao youths!" They all said: "Good." He also asked: "Does Yue Yi have descendants?" He obtained his grandson Shu and enfeoffed him at Yuexiang, titled Lord Huacheng. He questioned Xi's generals. They were all former merchants. The emperor said: "I know how to deal with them." So he used much gold to buy Xi's generals. Xi's generals mostly surrendered.
34
In the eleventh year winter, the emperor was at Handan. Xi's general Hou Chang led over ten thousand men to roam, Wang Huang led over a thousand cavalry to camp at Qu Ni, Zhang Chun led over ten thousand troops to cross the river and attack Liaocheng. Han general Guo Meng together with Qi generals attacked and greatly defeated them. Grand marshal Zhou Bo took the Taiyuan route to pacify Dai territory, reaching Mayi. Mayi did not submit, so he attacked and devastated it. Xi's general Zhao Li defended Dongyuan. Gaozu attacked but could not take it. The soldiers cursed. The emperor was angry. The city surrendered. The cursing soldiers were executed. The various counties that firmly defended and did not surrender to the rebel bandits had their taxes and levies exempted for three years.
35
In the first month of spring, Marquis of Huaiyin Han Xin plotted rebellion at Chang'an and his three clans were exterminated. General Chai Wu beheaded King Han Xin at Canhe.
36
西
The emperor returned to Luoyang. The edict said: "Dai territory lies north of Changshan, bordering the Yi and Di barbarians. Zhao then controls it from south of the mountains, which is distant. There are frequently Hu bandits, making it difficult to establish as a kingdom. Take much of the Taiyuan territory south of the mountains and add it to Dai. Make Dai's Yunzhong and west into Yunzhong commandery, then Dai will receive fewer border bandits. Kings, prime ministers, noble marquises, officials of two thousand piculs, select who can be established as King of Dai." King Yan Wan, prime minister He and thirty-three others all said: "The son Heng is worthy, wise, gentle, and kind. Please establish him as King of Dai, capital at Jinyang." There was a great amnesty for the world.
37
使
In the second month, the edict said: "I desire to reduce levies greatly. Now tribute has no standard. Officials sometimes levy much to make tribute, and the feudal lords and kings especially much. The people suffer from it. Command that feudal lords and kings, noble marquises regularly make court tribute in the tenth month, and commanderies each according to their population rate, per person sixty-three cash per year, to provide tribute expenses." He also said: "I have heard that among kings none was higher than Zhou Wen, among hegemons none was higher than Qi Huan. All relied on worthy men to achieve fame. Now in the world, are worthy men and the wise inferior to ancient people? The trouble is that rulers do not associate with them. How can scholars advance! Now I, by Heaven's blessing, together with worthy scholars and grand masters have pacified the world and made it one family. I desire it to last long, generation after generation serving the ancestral temples without end. Worthy men have already helped me pacify it, but do not help me secure and benefit it. Is this acceptable? Worthy scholars and grand masters who are willing to follow me, I can honor and make them eminent. Proclaim to the world, so they clearly know my intention. Imperial Secretary Chancellor Chang reports to the prime minister, prime minister Marquis Ao reports to the feudal lords, imperial secretary deputy law enforcer reports to the commandery governors. Those who have worthy scholars and grand masters must personally urge them, prepare carriages for them, send them to the prime minister's office, register their conduct, righteousness, and age. If they have them but do not report, when discovered, they are dismissed. If old and ill, do not send."
38
In the third month, King Liang Peng Yue plotted rebellion and his three clans were exterminated. The edict said: "Select who can be King of Liang, King of Huaiyang." King Yan Wan, prime minister He and others requested establishing son Hui as King of Liang, son You as King of Huaiyang. Abolished Dong commandery, added much to Liang. Abolished Yingchuan commandery, added much to Huaiyang.
39
In the fourth month of summer, he traveled from Luoyang to arrive. He commanded that Feng people who moved to Guanzhong all be exempted from service for life.
40
使 使
In the fifth month, the edict said: "Yue people's customs are fond of attacking each other. Previously Qin moved central counties' people to the southern three commanderies to mix with the Baiyue. When the world executed Qin, Nanhai magistrate Zhao Tuo dwelt in the south and governed it for a long time. He was very orderly and reasonable. Central county people therefore did not diminish. Yue people's custom of attacking each other stopped even more. All relied on his strength. Now establish Zhao Tuo as King of Nanyue." He sent Lu Jia to personally confer the seal and tassels. Zhao Tuo kowtowed and called himself subject. In the sixth month, he commanded that soldiers who entered Shu, Han, Guanzhong all be exempted from service for life.
41
西
In the seventh month of autumn, King Huainan Ying Bu rebelled. The emperor asked the generals. Teng Gong spoke of the former Chu prime minister Xue Gong who had strategy. The emperor saw Xue Gong. Xue Gong spoke of Ying Bu's situation. The emperor approved it and enfeoffed Xue Gong with a thousand households. He commanded the kings and prime ministers to select who could be established as King of Huainan. The ministers requested establishing son Chang as king. The emperor then dispatched Shang commandery, Beidi, Longxi chariots and cavalry, Bashu foresters and imperial guards 30,000 men as imperial crown prince guard, encamping at Bashang. Ying Bu indeed as Xue Gong said, attacked east and killed King Jing Liu Jia, seized his troops, crossed the Huai to attack Chu. King Chu Jiao fled into Xue. The emperor pardoned all death sentences and below, all commanded to follow the army. He summoned the feudal lords' troops. The emperor personally led them to attack Ying Bu.
42
In the tenth month of winter in the twelfth year, the emperor broke Ying Bu's army at Huifu. Ying Bu fled. He commanded separate generals to pursue him.
43
西
The emperor returned, passing through Pei. He stayed and held a banquet in Pei palace, summoning all old friends, elders, sons, and brothers to attend the banquet. He selected 120 boys from Pei and taught them to sing. When the wine was abundant, the emperor struck the zhu and sang himself: "Great wind rises, clouds fly, Might covers within the seas, return to my old home. How obtain fierce warriors to guard the four directions!" He commanded all the boys to sing in harmony and practice it. The emperor then began to dance, sighing deeply and grieving in his heart, tears flowing down in streams. He said to the Pei fathers and brothers: "A traveler grieves for his old home. Though I establish my capital in Guanzhong, after ten thousand years my soul will still long to enjoy Pei. Moreover, I from Lord of Pei executed the violent and rebellious, thus obtained the world. Make Pei my bathing county, exempt its people, generation after generation without any levies." The Pei elders and mothers, old friends daily enjoyed drinking to the utmost happiness, spoke of old matters and made merry. After more than ten days, the emperor wanted to leave. The Pei fathers and brothers firmly requested him to stay. The emperor said: "My retinue is numerous. Fathers and brothers cannot supply it." So he left. All the empty counties in Pei went to the western outskirts to present tribute. The emperor stayed and stopped, feasting for three days. The Pei fathers and brothers all bowed their heads and said: "Pei luckily obtained exemption. Feng has not obtained it. We beg Your Majesty to pity us." The emperor said: "Feng is where I grew up. I cannot forget it extremely. I especially because it was for Yong Chi's sake that they rebelled against me for Wei." The Pei fathers and brothers firmly requested it. So he also exempted Feng, equal to Pei.
44
Han separate generals attacked Ying Bu's army north and south of Tao River. All greatly defeated them and pursued, beheading Ying Bu at Fanyang.
45
Zhou Bo pacified Dai and beheaded Chen Xi at Dangcheng.
46
The edict said: "Wu is an ancient established state. Previously King Jing combined and had its territory. Now after his death. I wish to re-establish the King of Wu. Discuss who is suitable." King Changsha and others said: "Marquis of Pei Liu Bi is substantial and sincere. Please establish him as King of Wu." Already enfeoffed, the emperor summoned and said to Liu Bi: "Your appearance has the look of rebellion." So he patted his back and said: "Fifty years after Han, there will be disorder in the southeast. Will it be you? However, the world of the same surname is one family. You be careful not to rebel." Liu Bi bowed his head and said: "I dare not."
47
In the eleventh month, he traveled from Huainan back. Passing through Lu, he sacrificed to Confucius with a greater sheep offering.
48
使 使 使 使
In the twelfth month, the edict said: "The Qin First Emperor, Chu Yin King, Wei Anli King, Qi Min King, Zhao Dao Xiang King all have extinct lineages. Give to the Qin First Emperor's tomb twenty households, Chu, Wei, Qi each ten households, Zhao and Wei prince Wu Ji each five households, to oversee their tombs, exempt from other service." Chen Xi's surrendering generals said that when Xi rebelled, King Yan Lu Wan sent people to Xi's place with secret plots. The emperor sent Marquis Piyang Shen Shiqi to welcome Lu Wan. Lu Wan claimed illness. Shiqi said Lu Wan had signs of rebellion. In the second month of spring, he sent Fan Kuai and Zhou Bo to lead troops to attack Lu Wan. The edict said: "King Yan Lu Wan has old relations with me. I love him like a son. Hearing he had plots with Chen Xi, I thought there was nothing to it, so I sent people to welcome Lu Wan. Lu Wan claimed illness and did not come. His rebellion is clear. Yan officials and people have no crime. Grant officials of 600 piculs and above each one rank. Those who lived with Lu Wan and come and go returning, pardon them, add one rank also." He commanded the feudal lords to discuss who could be established as King of Yan. King Changsha and others requested establishing son Jian as King of Yan.
49
使
The edict said: "Marquis Nanwu Zhao Zhi is also of Yue lineage. Establish him as King of Nanhai." In the third month, the edict said: "I have established myself as Son of Heaven and emperor of the world. It has been twelve years to now. Together with the world's heroic scholars and worthy grand masters I pacified the world and jointly settled it. Those who have merit, the highest become kings, next become marquises, lowest receive fiefs. While the close relatives of heavy ministers, some become marquises, all are commanded to appoint their own officials, able to collect taxes, marry princesses. Those who are marquises with fiefs, all wear the seal, granted great mansions. Officials of two thousand piculs, move them to Chang'an, receive small mansions. Those who entered Shu and Han and pacified the three Qins, all have hereditary exemptions. I can say I have not failed the world's worthy scholars and meritorious ministers. Those who are unrighteous and turn their backs on the Son of Heaven by presumptuously raising troops, the world together shall attack and execute them. Proclaim to the world, so they clearly know my intention."
50
使
When the emperor attacked Ying Bu, he was struck by a stray arrow, and traveling the road he became ill. The illness was severe. Empress Lü welcomed good physicians. The physician entered to see him. The emperor questioned the physician. Said: "If the illness can be cured say it can be cured. If not, say it cannot be cured." So the emperor insulted him, saying: "I from commoner status, wielding a three-foot sword took the world. Is this not Heaven's mandate? The mandate is in Heaven. Though Bian Que came, what benefit!" So he did not have him treat the illness, granted fifty jin of gold, and dismissed him. Empress Lü asked: "After Your Majesty reaches a hundred years, when Chancellor Xiao dies, who should replace him?" The emperor said: "Cao Shen is suitable." Asked about the next, said: "Wang Ling is suitable, but a bit stubborn. Chen Ping can assist him.
51
Chen Ping has excess wisdom, but is difficult to employ alone. Zhou Bo is solid and sincere but lacks refinement. However, the one who will secure the Liu clan must be Bo. Can make him grand marshal." Zhou Bo is solid and sincere but lacks refinement. However, the one who will secure the Liu clan must be Bo. Can make him grand marshal." Empress Lü asked about the next. The emperor said: "This after is also not what you know."
52
Lu Wan with several thousand men dwelt below the frontier watching and waiting, hoping the emperor's illness would improve, personally entering to apologize. In the fourth month of summer on the day jiachen, the emperor passed away in Changlegong Palace. Lu Wan heard of it and fled into the Xiongnu.
53
Empress Lü plotted with Shen Shiqi: "The generals formerly were commoners with the emperor, facing north as subjects, their hearts often dissatisfied. Now they serve a young ruler. If not exterminate their clans, the world will not be peaceful." Therefore they did not announce the death. Someone heard and told Ji Shang. Ji Shang saw Shen Shiqi and said: "Heard the emperor has passed away. Four days without announcing death, wanting to execute the generals. If truly so, the world is in danger. Chen Ping and Guan Ying lead 100,000 guarding Xingyang, Fan Kuai and Zhou Bo lead 200,000 pacifying Yan and Dai. If they hear the emperor has died and the generals are all executed, they will surely join forces and return home to attack Guanzhong. Ministers rebel internally, generals revolt externally. There will be no time to even stamp one's foot." Shen Shiqi entered and spoke of it. So on the day dingwei they announced the death and granted a great amnesty to the world.
54
In the fifth month on the day bingyin, buried at Changling. After descending, the imperial crown prince and ministers all returned to the Taishang Huang temple. The ministers said: "The emperor rose from humble origins, corrected the chaotic world to righteousness, pacified the world, became Han Taizu. His merit is highest." They honored him with the title Gao Huangdi.
55
Initially, Gaozu did not study literature, but his nature was clear and understanding, fond of planning, able to listen. From gate guard to soldier, he treated people as old friends. Initially he followed the people's hearts and made the three chapter covenant. After the world was settled, he commanded Xiao He to arrange the statutes and commands, Han Xin to explain military law, Zhang Cang to establish procedures, Shu Sun Tong to create rituals and ceremonies, Lu Jia to compose new discourses. He also with the meritorious ministers divided tallies and made oaths, red writing on iron contracts, gold caskets and stone chambers, stored in the ancestral temple. Though days were not sufficient, his plans were broad and far-reaching.
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